The Book Launching Ceremonies of Well-Known Authors Dr. Shahid Siddiqui and Athar Tahir in UE
19-10-2023
In the main Campus of the University of Education, Lahore, book launching ceremonies for
two well-known Pakistani writers were held yesterday, i.e., October 19, 2023. Among these books, the
first is the well-known author, teacher, and former Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, Dr.
Shahid Siddiqui's book "Pakistan, Education, and the 21st Century" while the second is the famous
author, poet, and former Federal Secretary, Athar Tahir' (S.I., T.I.) novel, published as Second Coming.
Separate events were organized at the university to launch the books.
The launching ceremony of Dr. Shahid Siddiqui's book "Pakistan, Education, and 21st Century" was
presided over by Vice Chancellor, University of Education, Lahore Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha (H.I., S.I.),
while Vice-Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Dr. Salma Nazr Khan from
Fatima Jinnah Women University, and Prof. Dr. Tayyaba Tamim from Lahore University of Management
Sciences were the guest speakers. Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer
Pasha (H.I., S.I.) said that the topic chosen by Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his book is undoubtedly the utmost
need of Pakistan today. In the book, while covering the educational problems of the country and the
challenges of the present day, it is not only criticized, but its solutions have also been thoroughly
discussed. He said that this is an excellent book regarding the education sector, which should be read by
all of us. On this occasion, while addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University
Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Dr. Salma Nazr Khan from Fatima Jinnah Women University, Prof. Dr. Tayyaba
Tamim from Lahore University of Management Sciences, and other speakers declared this book the best
for positive change in the educational system of the country. In the event, author Dr. Shahid Siddiqui
thanked the audience and said that this book is the fulfillment of my long-standing dream, which aims to
adapt the education system of Pakistan to contemporary requirements. No country in the world can
achieve progress without education, and keeping this in mind, I have tried this for my country through
this book. A large number of students, including Director of the Division of Education Professor Dr. Ayaz
Muhammad Khan, were present on this occasion.
Meanwhile, addressing the book launch ceremony of famous writer, poet, and former Federal Secretary
Athar Tahir (S.I., T.I.), Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha (H.I., S.I.) called "Second Coming" the
best addition in English literature. Addressing the event, the author said that “Second Coming” is truly a
strange commentary on aging, love, and the absence of it. The novel tells of solitude and quest, imbued
with the symbolic and metaphorical through the portrayal of the narrator, an Oxford-educated
bureaucrat. Dr. Humira Irfan from the University of Education, Prof. Naveed Shehzad from Punjab
University, Prof. Dr. Waseem Anwar from Kinnaird College, Lahore, and Prof. Dr. Fatima Syeda from
Forman Christian College University were also present on this occasion. The event was organized by UE
Toastmasters (chartered with Toastmasters International, USA).